Features

Key features

GraphQL

Simplified Data Access and Querying

AWS AppSync uses GraphQL, a data language that enables client apps to fetch, change and subscribe to data from servers. In a GraphQL query, the client specifies how the data is to be structured when it is returned by the server. This makes it possible for the client to query only for the data it needs, in the format that it needs it in. GraphQL also includes a feature called “introspection” which lets new developers on a project discover the data available without requiring knowledge of the backend.

Real-time data access and updates

Immediate updates across clients and devices

AWS AppSync lets you specify which portions of your data should be available in a real-time manner using GraphQL Subscriptions. GraphQL Subscriptions are simple statements in the application code that tell the service what data should be updated in real-time.

Offline data synchronization

Interact with and update your data, even when offline

AWS AppSync supports an offline programming model where application data is not only available offline, but users can add and update data as well. When the device is offline, the application UI will be automatically updated with the offline data. AppSync lets you define how data is cached offline as well as how AppSync should manage the cache updates under different network conditions.

Data querying, filtering, and search in apps

Preconfigured access to AWS data sources

AWS AppSync gives client applications the ability to specify data requirements with GraphQL so that only the needed data is fetched, allowing for both server and client filtering. Since AWS AppSync supports AWS Lambda, Amazon DynamoDB and Amazon Elasticsearch, the GraphQL operations can be simple lookups, complex queries & mappings, full text searches, fuzzy/keyword searches or geo lookups.

Enterprise security and fine-grained access control

Control your data

AWS AppSync allows several levels of data access and authorization depending on the needs of an application. Simple access can be protected by a key and more restrictive permission can be done with AWS Identity and Access Management using Roles. Additionally, AWS AppSync integrates with Amazon Cognito User Pools for email and password functionality, social providers (Facebook, Google+, and Login with Amazon), and enterprise federation with SAML. Customers can use the Group functionality for logical organization of users and roles as well as OAuth features for application access.

FAQs

AWS AppSync is a new service that enables developers to manage and synchronize mobile app data in real time across devices and users, but still allows the data to be accessed and altered when the mobile device is in an offline state.

The service further allows developers to optimize the user experience by selecting which data is automatically synchronized to each user's device when changes are made, minimizing storage and bandwidth requirements, with a query language called GraphQL.

AWS AppSync can be used to build mobile apps that would benefit from being able to synchronize user and app data across devices, continue functioning when disconnected, and offer real-time collaboration experiences. There are applications across all verticals. Examples include:

Gaming apps with real-time scoreboards

News feeds and financial data

Customer service dashboards

Shared wallet, travel or itinerary tracking with offline usage

Social Media with content feeds and search/discovery/messaging

Dating apps with likes, messaging and geo/proximity awareness

Field service apps that need to allow for querying and CRUD operations, even when disconnected

Document collaboration

3D collaboration such as shared whiteboards

AR/VR with multiple actors (doctors in surgery with observers, teachers and students)

Multi-device (e.g., Alexa, mobile, web, IoT) and multi-modal applications (e.g., task list) that need to work offline yet reflect the same eventually consistent state

AWS AppSync SDKs support iOS, Android, and JavaScript. The JavaScript support spans web frameworks such as React and Angular as well as technologies such as React Native and Ionic. You can also use open source clients to connect to the AppSync GraphQL endpoint for using other platform such as generic HTTP libraries or even a simple CURL commands.

GraphQL is a data language to enable client apps to fetch, change and subscribe to data from servers. In a GraphQL query, the client specifies how the data is to be structured when it is returned by the server. This makes it possible for the client to query only for the data it needs, in the format that it needs it in.

A GraphQL schema is a definition of what data capabilities are available for the client application to operate on. For example, a schema might say what queries are available or how an app can subscribe to data without needing to know about the underlying data source. Schemas are defined by a type system, which an application's data model can leverage.

No, AWS AppSync can automatically setup your entire API, schema, and connect data sources with a simple UI builder that allows you to type in your data model in seconds. You can then immediately begin using the endpoint in a client application. The console also provides many sample schema and data sources for fully functioning applications.

Yes. With AWS AppSync you can use existing tables, functions, and domains from Amazon DynamoDB, AWS Lambda and Amazon Elasticsearch Service with a GraphQL schema. AWS AppSync allows you to create data sources using existing AWS resources and configure the interactions using Mapping Templates.

GraphQL requests execute as "resolvers" and need to be converted into the appropriate message format for the different AWS Services that AWS AppSync integrates. For example, a GraphQL query on a field will need to be converted into a unique format for Amazon DynamoDB, AWS Lambda, and Amazon Elasticsearch Service respectively. AWS AppSync provides Mapping Templates for this, which are written in Apache Velocity Template Language (VTL) allowing you to provide custom logic to meet your needs. AWS AppSync also provides built-in templates for the different services and utility functions for enhanced usability.

Application data is stored at rest in your AWS account and not in the AWS AppSync service. You can protect access to this data from applications by using security controls with AWS AppSync including AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), as well as Amazon Cognito User Pools. Additionally, user context can be passed through for authenticated requests so that you can perform fine-grained access control logic against your resources with Mapping Templates in AWS AppSync.

Yes. Subscriptions are supported with AWS AppSync against any of the data sources, so that when a mutation occurs, the results can be passed down to clients subscribing to the event stream immediately using a MQTT over Websockets.

The data sources available to AWS AppSync allow you to take full advantage of capabilities provided by Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elasticsearch Service, and AWS Lambda when using GraphQL. Features such as indexing and conditional checks, along with Mapping Templates, return comprehensive results from DynamoDB. Use cases such as fuzzy searches, geo searches and more that Amazon Elasticsearch Service offers are available to your application. Finally, Lambda can be used for serial or batched requests to return data from other sources such as Amazon Aurora.

AWS AppSync can automatically generate a GraphQL schema from an existing DynamoDB table, including the inference of your table’s key schema and indexes. Once the import is complete GraphQL queries, mutations, and subscriptions can be used with zero coding. AppSync will also “auto-map” non-key attributes from your GraphQL types to DynamoDB attributes.

Customers can create a GraphQL schema, either by hand or using the console, and AWS AppSync can automatically provision Amazon DynamoDB tables and appropriate indexes for you. Additionally, it will connect the data sources to "GraphQL resolvers" allowing you to just focus on your application code and data structures.